Genealogy and Schools

National Geographic has been using genealogy to not only study Human Migration but other family tree and genetic occurrences. They are also using their initiative online to educate students. They have set up videos and reading materials, outline, questions for teacher's to assign, and even given project ideas to follow after the research. I would love to see more history teachers incorporating this genealogy study into their classroom curriculum!

What Is a Clan?

A clan is simply another form of an extended family. A clan's members typically claim a common relative. Clans bring together members of an extended family into one cohesive branch when they might otherwise be divided by different residences, age groups, and social status. Clan members become allies, often providing economic and social support for one another. Other names for a clan would be tribes, Buguu, Sarybagysh, and Adygine.

The Fearsome Warrior

The fearsome warrior, Genghis Khan, might have done more during the 13th century than spread his empire! A recent study of Y-chromosomes have found that nearly 8% of the men living in the region that was formerly the Mongolian empire carry y-chromosomes that are almost identical. This is almost equal to 0.5 percent of the world population of men or 16 million descendants alive today who could be descended from Genghis Khan.

The Black Sheep

That infamous black sheep in the family, the person that nobody really wants contact with, the person who makes tracing a family tree almost impossible. Do we all have them? No, not necessarily, but those who do have one, know how hard it is to follow the trail. So try searching sideways. Check to see if there is a mention of a brother or sister, or even a niece or nephew. Anybody the deceased might have felt a connection with. Then follow that trail as far backwards as possible and should lead you eventually back to his parents.